Regional

6:43 pm

Tue January 11, 2011

Las Cruces Police Arrest Armed Thief

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police arrested a shoplifter who pulled out a knife and threatened the store employees who prevented his escape.

Donnie Hignite, 39, was arrested Saturday, Jan. 8, after he attempted to flea the parking lot of Hobby Lobby at 2350 E. Lohman Ave. Hignite is charged with one count each of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and shoplifting.

LCPD detectives learned that at around 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8, Hignite exited the Hobby Lobby store with more than $600 worth of merchandise that he failed to purchase. Upon leaving the store, three Hobby Lobby employees confronted Hignite in the parking lot as he climbed into the driver's seat of a vehicle.

Shortly thereafter Hignite exited the vehicle holding a knife in a threatening manner. Hignite swung the knife at the employees but did not strike them. Hignite then ran from the employees but was caught and wrestled to the ground as he attempted to jump a fence near the store.

The items Hignite took from the store were found in a black bag he left in the car. The items, mostly art supplies, were valued at $601.

Hignite was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $5,000.